Information for Parents 2020 2021 - For Year 7, September 2021 - Northgate High School
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Information for Parents
2020 - 2021
For Year 7, September 2021Throughout this document the term parents has been used to refer to parents/carers.
The information and particulars contained in this prospectus relate to the school year indicated on the
front cover and are correct at the time of publication, September 2020.
It should not be assumed that there will be no change affecting the relevant arrangements or some
matter particularised before the start of, or during, the school year in question or in relation to
subsequent school years.
Parents are advised to retain this document for reference.
Northgate High School
Headteacher: Miss Rowena Mackie
Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 3DL Tel: 01473 210123
Web site: www.northgate.suffolk.sch.uk
E-mail: info@northgate.suffolk.sch.uk
Suffolk County Council
Directorate of Health, Wellbeing and Children’s Services
Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX
Tel: 0345 600 0981
Executive Director of People’s Services: Sue Cook
Corporate Director of Children and Young People: Allan CadzowBackground Information Northgate High School is a mixed comprehensive community school, catering for students aged 11 to 18. The school roll is approximately 1800, including around 500 in the Sixth Form. There are approximately 100 full-time equivalent teaching staff. Admissions Intake Limit The intake limit at 11+ for 2020 was 252. The total number of on-time applications received that included Northgate as one of the three stated preferences was 768. After allocating available places in other schools, where these were stated as a higher preference, the Local Authority considered 399 applications for Northgate’s 2020 intake, allocating 252 places and rejecting the remaining 147 applications. To date there have been 16 appeals heard, of which 2 were successful. Planned admissions at 11+ for September 2021 will be 252. Admissions Procedure The County Council, not the School, is responsible for admissions. The full statement of the admissions policy is contained in the booklet ‘Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2021/2022 guide’, which can be found online, and it is essential that parents refer to this. Parents requiring clarification should seek advice from the Suffolk County Council Admissions Team. How to Find Out More about Northgate Parents considering making an application for a place at Northgate are invited to visit the school website where there will be a range of information to view under the tab ‘Admission to Northgate’. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are not able to offer tours of the school, and we will not be holding an Open Morning or Open Evening. Mrs Asher, Northgate’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator, can be contacted via telephone to discuss our provision for students with SEN. Mid-Year Applications Mid-year applications to Years 7 to 11 must be made on L.A. form CAF 2, which is available for download from the Suffolk County Council website and needs to be completed and returned to S.C.C. If contacting the school for advice please ask to speak to Mrs Clark, Office Manager.
Sixth Form Applications There is a separate application process for sixth form students. A Sixth Form Prospectus outlining this procedure and the provision Northgate has to offer can be seen online at: www.northgatesixthform.co.uk. As we are not able to run an Open Evening during the Autumn Term, a video tour of the school can be viewed via the website. In addition, each subject has made a short film that provides a summary of what is covered on their A Level course. These films can also be viewed via the website. The Sixth Form application deadline for September 2021 entry is Friday, 29 January 2021. Dates Students allocated a place in Year 7 at Northgate will be invited to two Induction Days on Monday, 28 and Tuesday, 29 June 2021. A Parents’ Evening will be held on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, for the parents of students who have attended the Induction Days. School Hours School hours are currently from 8.45am to 3.10pm, Monday to Friday. This includes a 15-minute morning registration. The four lessons per day each last 75 minutes. There is a 20-minute morning break staggered across Period 2 and 45 minutes for lunch staggered across Period 3. The length of the taught week is 25 hours. The timing of the school day is reviewed periodically. School Meals and Lunch Break Arrangements During the lunch break students may n use a pre-charged payment lunch card to buy a school meal or a hot snack from our canteen, which can cater for special diets e.g. vegetarian, coeliac (those entitled to a free school meal have their payment card automatically credited by the school in advance). n bring their own packed meal to be eaten in the area specified, or n go home for a meal if they live near enough (see below). Parents who wish their child to return home for lunch should indicate in writing that they accept responsibility for their son or daughter during this time. In the absence of written consent, no Year 7 – 11 students are allowed to leave the school site at lunch time. Curriculum Our intention is to provide our learners with a curriculum that: n is broad and balanced nv alues subject disciplines and builds subject knowledge np romotes Northgate’s values – respect, determination and teamwork n creates responsible, healthy and aspirational citizens n f osters a love of learning Curriculum Overview Religious Education and collective worship are non-denominational in character. Religious Education is taught in accordance with the statutory requirements for maintained schools and the
Suffolk Agreed Syllabus. Parents who, on grounds of conscience, wish to withdraw their child from Religious Education should give written notice to the Headteacher. Religious Education is not a public examination subject and a student who wishes it as an examination subject must opt for Religious Studies at Key Stage 4. Social, moral, cultural and spiritual development – including that of the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs – is delivered across the curriculum at all key stages, and is a core element of our PSHE programme. Key Stage 3 Curriculum Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 study Art, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Maths, Music, Physical Education, Science and Technology as well as the locally agreed syllabus for Religious Education. French, German or Spanish is studied in Years 7 to 9. All students in Years 7 to 9 follow a programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, which includes Study Skills, Health, Relationships and Sex Education. In Years 7 and 8, students have one lesson a week allocated to PSHE, and in Year 9 students follow a Core programme which includes Careers, Economic Awareness, PSHE, Religious Education, Health, Relationships and Sex Education, and Citizenship. More detailed information about the curriculum followed in each subject can be found on the Northgate website. Form groups represent a mixture of ability, but in appropriate subjects setting is introduced progressively through Key Stage 3. Provision is made for students with Special Educational Needs, who may be withdrawn from a lesson for specific help, but for the majority of time, will operate in the normal curriculum, with appropriate support. For a small minority of students, a bespoke curriculum is available in our Learning Support department where students have access to specialist intervention programmes delivered by Northgate staff and external services. This is regularly reviewed in the light of student progress. Similarly, a small number of students are offered literacy and numeracy intervention in the Learning Support department as appropriate to their learning need. Key Stage 4 Curriculum In Years 10 and 11, students study GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Maths and Science (combined or triple). Further GCSE subjects are chosen from Art, Business, Child Development, Computer Science, Creative iMedia, Dance, Design Technology (Electronic and Mechanical Systems or Timber and Metals), Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, French, Geography, German, Graphic Communication, Health & Social Care, History, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish and Textiles. Choice is guided through option blocks, to ensure appropriate breadth. In addition, a non-examination programme of study is followed in Physical Education. The availability of all option subjects will depend on sufficient support to ensure that the course can run. The Core Programme covering Careers and Work‐related Learning, Economic Awareness, Enterprise Education, PSHE, Religious Education, Study Skills, Health, Relationships and Sex Education and Citizenship builds on the related Year 9 input. Students in Year 10 undertake a period of Work Experience at the end of the Summer Term.
Sixth Form Curriculum The Sixth Form curriculum predominantly offers a 2-year A Level course. There is also a 1-year course consisting of a suite of GCSE entries designed to assist students with their next step. There are currently 33 Advanced Level or Level 3 subjects available, as well as a small number of subjects at Level 2 (e.g. GCSE). More information can be found in the Sixth Form Prospectus, available from the school or online at www.northgatesixthform.co.uk Code of Behaviour At Northgate we expect students to show consideration and respect for others. Rules should be fully observed. In particular, students are expected: n to behave in a sensible and considerate way n to be punctual and to work hard n to respect the school buildings and environment, for example, by keeping all areas clear of graffiti, by placing all litter in bins and by not bringing chewing gum into school n to wear full school uniform in school, and on the way to and from school n to have hair within the natural spectrum of hair colour avoiding extreme styles n not to arrive on site before 8.35am, and to leave by 3.20pm unless involved in supervised activities n not to bring tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol, matches, lighters, knives or other dangerous items or illegal substances onto the school site n to remain on the school site unless they have permission to leave n to remain within their designated areas of the site at break and lunchtime unless they go home for lunch n to mark all property clearly with their name n to follow the guidelines for cyclists on the site n to keep ball games to the designated areas n not to eat food in any school buildings other than in the dining room or designated areas outside. Policy Regarding the Use of Mobile Phones Northgate has an ‘on site, out of sight’ mobile phone policy for students in Years 7 – 11. In summary this simply means that students, once arriving at school, must turn their phones off and leave them in their bags. Mobile phones can only be used with the express permission of a member of staff. Jewellery Jewellery should not be worn, apart from watches and a single pair of simple studs for pierced ears (no hoops, dangling designs, large gems or bling!). Students in Years 9 – 11 may wear one discreet nose stud. Make-up Make-up and nail varnish should not be worn to school. Students will be required to remove nail varnish (gel and acrylic nails) and/or eye make-up that is clearly visible. The Headteacher delegates overall responsibility for discipline on a day-to-day basis to a pastoral team, led by a Deputy Headteacher but supported by all members of staff. Individual form tutors have particular responsibility for their own groups. Breaches of discipline may be punished, depending upon the severity and frequency, by a range of sanctions including loss of personal time during the school day without notice. For more serious
offences there are longer detentions after school of which parents will be notified either by a telephone call or via Go4Schools. We also run an Intervention Centre for students where appropriate supervision, pastoral support and academic assistance will be provided for the duration of the school day. In the most serious cases the Headteacher reserves the right to exclude a student from attendance (informing the Local Authority and the Chair of the Governors of the action taken), or to take other measures considered appropriate by the school and governors. Attendance and Punctuality Students are expected to attend punctually and regularly. If your child has a legitimate reason for being late, please make sure that they have a signed explanatory note in their planner. Parents are required to telephone the school to notify absence on the first day and each subsequent day. In the case of long or repeated absence, formal medical evidence may be called for. Requests for absence other than for illness should be made on an Exceptional Leave of Absence form, which can be obtained from the pastoral team. The Headteacher reserves the right to refuse permission for absence. Student Absence Statistics 2019/2020 Total number of students of compulsory school age on roll for at least one session – 1302 Percentage of student sessions (half days) missed through authorised absence – 6.1% Percentage of student sessions (half days) missed through unauthorised absence – 1.1% Attendance data has been calculated up to the school closure on 20 March 2020. Emergency Procedures In case of accident or emergency the school will endeavour to contact one of the child’s parents, and parents are asked to inform the school of a means by which one of them can be contacted during the day if necessary using the contact details we have on record. Please ensure these contact details are always kept up to date. If in a case of illness or accident it proved impossible to contact a parent, the Headteacher would act on the advice of the medical officer first aider or, where necessary, medical professional consulted. Owing to the large number of students attending Northgate High School, it is not possible to transmit routine messages to students, so where possible arrangements for pickups and medical appointments should be sorted out prior to the start of school. Office staff will, however, always attempt to pass on messages to students in the event of an emergency. School Uniform All students wear school uniform until the end of Year 11. Students are expected to be clean, neat and tidy and to bring credit upon themselves by their appearance. All items must be clearly marked with the owner’s name. A full list of school uniform and games kit, along with information about suppliers, will be sent to the parents of children allocated a place, well in advance of the new school year.
Photographs Students are photographed individually each September, so that an up-to-date likeness can appear on each student’s record. Copies of these photographs are available for purchase by parents. Students may also be photographed or filmed on other occasions as part of an activity, either by a member of staff, or by the local press. Parents of new students will be sent a letter seeking preferences regarding the use of images of their child. School Health The Local Health Partnerships NHS Trust is responsible for providing the School Health Service in this area. Unfortunately, at the time of writing the school has been notified that the NHS Trust is no longer able to provide regular School Nurse drop in sessions at the school, but that immunisation programmes will continue. Managing Medicine for Children in School Any student requiring First Aid should report to a member of staff who may then refer him or her to the School Office where trained help is available. Parents continue to have responsibility for their child’s well-being at school. The school encourages the students to be responsible for managing their own medication needs (e.g. the use of asthma inhalers and allergy auto-injectors). Where it is agreed by the School that a member of staff will act on the parents’ behalf by dispensing medicine, it will only do so if satisfied that this is the parents’ wish, that the details of the dosage and timing have been conveyed precisely and that to do so would have no harmful effect on the child. Please note that it is the responsibility of parents/ carers to ensure that medication is in date and it is the responsibility of the student to come to the office to take their medication where required. However, the school reserves the right not to agree to administer medicine. Parent Teacher Association The PTA organises various functions of a social or informative nature. Parents of all students are automatically members of the Association. The Committee, elected annually, consists of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, together with other members elected at the AGM each year. The current Chairperson of the PTA, Mrs Niki Downey, can be contacted via the School. School Governors Full current membership of the Governing Body is provided on the school website. The current Chair of Governors is Mrs J Sheat, who can be contacted via the School. School Policies In general, policies receive the approval of the Governing Body, having been formulated through consultation with stakeholders. A list of the Governors’ Policies, and the full text of each relevant to parents is available on the school’s website. For guidance, brief outlines of some policies are given in the next section of this document. Safeguarding Children Policy Northgate High School takes the safeguarding responsibility placed upon it very seriously and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. As a school we have a statutory
duty to assist Children and Young People’s Services departments acting on behalf of children in need or enquiring into allegations of abuse. If we have a concern that a child has been abused or is at risk of being abused, we have a duty to refer this to Children and Young People’s Services . In most cases we would also inform parents of our concern. The school has a Safeguarding Policy, which is available to parents and carers on request and may also be viewed on the school website. Charging and Remission Policy The Governors recognise the value of activities beyond the curriculum in extending students’ opportunities and experience, but reserve the right to make a charge for: n voluntary activities which are not an integral part of the school curriculum n the board and lodging element of residential activities required for specific public examinations n vocal or instrumental tuition that is not part of the normal school curriculum n materials involved in production of an article which parents wish to own n examination fees in special circumstances e.g. where a student enters a subject as a private candidate, or the fee for an enquiry about a result. The full policy is available on the school website and includes details of financial help available to families experiencing financial hardship. Equality and Diversity The staff and governors of Northgate High School are committed to equality of opportunity being available to all members of the school community. For our school, this means understanding and tackling the different barriers that could lead to unequal outcomes for different groups of students in school, while celebrating and valuing the achievements and strengths of all members of the school community. These include students, teaching and support staff, parents, carers, governors, multi- agency staff linked to the school, visitors to school and contractors. At Northgate High School, equality is a key principle in the way that we treat all members of the school community irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation, age, ability, first language, economic disadvantage or any other recognised area of discrimination. Special Educational Needs The school recognises its responsibility to support students who have Special Educational Needs of any kind, to make appropriate provision to meet those needs within the school and to liaise closely with parents, colleagues (including those in pyramid schools) and educational support services. The school supports students with Education Health and Care Plans and School Support Single Category status and identifies students for teacher support outlining strategies to address students’ needs. The Learning Support department offers a hub service to students with additional needs. Northgate High School is committed to a policy of inclusion where this meets the child’s needs best. Students with individual needs receive support from additional staff as appropriate within lessons or in individual or small group situations. Additional support is provided by teaching assistants, mentors and other services where there is an identified need. The Foundation Learning team addresses gaps in attainment and aims to support students with strategies for how to become more independent learners. The Thrive programme, Emotional Literacy Support Assistant and TA teams aim to support students in social and classroom settings. Learning Support provides a bridge for students who arrive at secondary school needing a more gradual adjustment and additional support. Progress for all is regularly reviewed, allowing flexible and appropriate allocation of support and intervention to boost attainment.
Sex Education Sex Education is seen as a whole school issue, to which all students have an equal entitlement. Account will be taken of differing levels of maturity, of differences in ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, and care will be taken to avoid stereotyping. The role of parents is recognised in helping students to achieve a balanced view of the physical, emotional, moral and social aspects of human development from conception to old age, including the role of family life. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from certain aspects of sex education, and should contact Mr Banham, Deputy Headteacher (Teaching and Learning) if they wish to exercise this right Complaints Procedure We hope that your child will be happy at Northgate and the school will do it’s upmost to address any concerns that you may have. However, should you feel the need to complain the Complaints Procedure can be found on the school’s website. Examinations The policy of the school is to encourage as many students as possible to enter for public examinations at an appropriate level. Where they still remain, the completion of controlled assessment elements of GCSE courses can take place throughout KS4, and GCSE examinations are taken at the end of Year 11. For vocational subjects such as BTEC and Cambridge Nationals, assessments will take place throughout KS4. Re-sits for any unit will be at candidate’s own expense. Internal Advanced Level end of year examinations take place in Year 12. A Level examinations are taken in May/June of Year 13. GCSE examinations are also taken by Sixth Form students.
Destination of Leavers 2019 (Figures for 2020 were still being compiled at the time of publication) A. From Year 13 – 191 students, including third-year Sixth Formers: Higher Education 128 Gap Year 28 Sixth Form 1 Further Education 8 Employment with training 6 Other Employment 13 Not in education, employment or training 0 Unknown 7 B. From Year 11 – 220 students Northgate High School Sixth Form or another Sixth Form 156 Further Education 58 Work/Training 6 Not in education, employment or training 0 Unknown 0
A Level Outcomes 2019 - 2020
(Based on best of Centre Assessed and Calculated Grade)
Subject Entries A* A B C D E U
Art 10 4 5 1
Biology 48 8 21 15 4
Business Studies 13 4 4 3 1 1
Chemistry 49 7 22 10 8 2
Computing 7 1 4 1 1
Dance 3 1 1 1
Design Technology 4 2 1 1
Double Maths 11 4 2 1 2 1 1
Drama 7 1 2 3 1
Early Modern History 8 3 1 3 1
Economics 17 4 7 4 2
English Language 14 1 3 4 6
English Literature 29 3 3 14 7 2
Film Studies 10 3 3 4
French 1 1
Further Maths 13 4 3 2 3 1
Geography 17 4 5 6 1 1
German 2 2
Graphics 8 2 1 2 2 1
History 24 2 5 11 4 2
Law 22 3 5 4 5 3 2
Mathematics 45 9 7 8 8 8 5
Media Studies 18 2 5 10 1
Music 1 1
Philosophy 7 1 1 2 1 1 1
Photography 12 2 2 6 2
Physical Education 15 1 4 5 2 3
Physics 27 2 8 4 4 5 4
Politics 16 2 5 3 3 2 1
Psychology 48 6 13 7 13 9
Sociology 42 3 8 14 11 3 2 1
Spanish 2 1 1
Textiles 1 1
Grand Total 551 79 153 145 109 46 18 1
Extended Project 50 16 11 11 9 2 1GCSE Outcomes 2019 - 2020
(Based on best of Centre Assessed and Calculated Grade)
Subject Entries 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 U
Art 67 10 7 15 14 11 7 3
Biology 113 13 21 22 29 17 10 1
Business Studies 67 2 3 4 6 8 14 16 10 4
Chemistry 112 14 20 23 18 24 10 3
Computing 28 4 3 2 3 6 5 3 2
Dance 12 3 2 2 2 1 1 1
Drama 22 3 2 2 6 4 3 1 1
Electronic Mech 19 1 3 2 2 5 4 2
English Language 244 14 17 32 43 48 49 27 11 3
English Literature 240 10 18 36 40 45 49 20 12 9 1
French 9 2 2 1 2 2
Geography 109 7 19 11 11 20 15 15 9 2
German 44 3 4 7 6 12 7 4 1
Graphic Prods. 49 2 6 5 6 10 13 6 1
He Food 34 8 2 6 4 3 4 5 2
History 116 7 13 17 19 15 16 16 8 4 1
Mathematics 244 13 28 40 38 37 43 19 17 8 1
Music 8 1 2 3 1 1
Physical Education 47 3 3 12 10 6 4 5 4
Physics 113 16 13 32 28 14 8 2
Psychology 81 6 11 8 11 21 12 8 3 1
Religious Studies 15 3 5 1 1 1 1 1 2
Resistant Materials 38 3 6 5 4 10 7 3
Spanish 49 4 4 8 4 9 13 5 2
Textiles 13 2 1 2 1 2 5
Grand Total 1893 154 211 298 310 330 299 172 85 31 3
Double Science 2019-2020
Subject Entries 1/1 2/1 2/2 3/2 3/3 4/3 4/4 5/4 5/5 6/5 6/6 7/6 7/7 8/7
Science 129 2 3 5 14 18 17 14 16 21 6 6 5 1 1
Vocational Subjects 2019-20
Subject Entries L2D* L2D L2M L2P L1D L1M L1P U
Child Development 19 1 2 3 4 3 3 2 1
Creative iMedia 43 1 1 7 6 6 6 9 7
Health & Soc Care 26 2 3 9 4 5 2 1
PE BTEC 11 5 4 2
Grand Total 99 2 5 13 24 13 14 17 11Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 3DL | Tel: 01473 210123 | www.northgate.suffolk.sch.uk E-mail: info@northgate.suffolk.sch.uk | @Northgatehighandsixthformipswich | northgatehighschoolipswich
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